Third Trimester Update & Workout Routine

My third trimester has actually felt easier than my second which makes no sense! But I do think a lot of it has to do with the fact that I am remaining active and fit. Here are some things I've noticed this trimester (currently 33 weeks 2 days):

- I can still bend down and get things off of the floor easily (thanks to squatting)

-I can still pick up my forever growing German shepherd puppy

-I hardly ever experience back aches (only sometimes in the evening)

- I'm still going out for hour long dog walks with my mum and keeping up conversation (not too out of breathe)

- I can still put my own shoes on (lol)

_ can still shave my legs in the shower without feeling like i'm going to topple over

- Apart from my baby bump, I've only put noticeable weight on my legs. My whole body is a layer chubbier but not enough for me to notice or feel insecure about

- I'm still the same bra size - back & cup (where are my preggo boobs?)

The bad bits:

- I get cramp at night if i stretch out my legs too much

- I need to wee every half an hour, i'm not exaggerating

- I get tired even quicker

- My anxiety is picking up (because i'm not organised yet at all)

- Sometimes my stomach feels so stretched, it's uncomfortable and balloon like

Can I just add that I am by no means the type of person who is naturally slim. I have to constantly workout to remain in shape. I will never have a super small waist or skinny legs because I enjoy food too much. I workout to feel comfortable with my body and to keep my weight down, as soon as I stop I pile on weight like there's no tomorrow. So to keep to a comfortable weight, I have been working out 2-3 times a week every week. I have a swimming membership and aim for 35 lengths each time. But when I feel lazy I tend to just stick to YouTube home workouts which last for 20 minutes to half an hour and then I add on my own arm routine while I watch Homeland on Netflix. What i'm doing must be working because I'm eating like a horse and am remaining on OK size, plus all the people who examine my stomach have said I have really good ab muscles - one midwife asked if I was a dancer or horse rider! No, i'm just a YouTube worker outer, lol.

Working out has SO many benefits during pregnancy, here are a few:

- Thanks to your ab muscles - Labour may be easier/ faster!

- You lower your risk of Gestational Diabetes (I was told I had two factors that made me more at risk of getting this disorder so I really focused on reducing the risk)

-You're less likely to get backache (true in my case and I suffered with back ache pre pregnancy)

-You may boost your child's athletic potential

-You'll bounce back faster after birth ( this has been on my mind the whole time, I can't wait to wear my normal clothes again)

- You may sleep better (true in my case, when I took a weeks break I couldn't sleep at night)

There are loads more benefits for both you and your baby, have a google!

(source: https://www.fitpregnancy.com/exercise/prenatal-workouts/33-reasons-exercise-now)

Without further adieu here are my two GO TO WORKOUTS:

Team these with a few basic arm workouts with light weights & you have yourself a full body work out! 

Enjoy and remember to not over do it x

Working out during pregnancy

I was always worried about working out during pregnancy, but I am also really worried that I will put on too much weight. A lot of people use pregnancy as an excuse to let themselves go and eat whatever they like (I am guilty of this) but we shouldn't! Sometimes cravings take over (mine being nutella on toast), but I really am trying not to eat cake everyday. However, I am eating worse than I would usually eat (it's hard when i'm totally off of vegetables), my diet is very carby so to counteract that and to keep my risk of gestational diabetes/ high blood pressure down - I workout regularly every week without fail.

From what I have read (I am not a doctor), the number 1 guideline for working out in pregnancy is to continue to do the workouts you are used to doing, but bring it down a notch. For instance - I used to do treadmill interval sprints which made me feel sick and dizzy - I wouldn't do those when pregnant, but I am doing a lighter form of cardio. To keep my paranoia and worries at bay, I have been following pregnancy workouts on YouTube. Because they are tailored to pregnant women, I don't worry about if i'm over doing it. If I do ever feel dizzy, I just click pause and sit for a minute and then get back to work. You have to listen to your own body. I have also been continuing to lift light weights once a week in between my cardio sessions. My midwife said not to workout more than 3 times a week, so my week looks a bit like this:

Monday - Pregnancy cardio workout with added arm exercises using light weights  (a few taken from strength regime)
Tuesday - Rest/ Dog walk
Wednesday - Strength training with light weights at home or at the gym - Bum/Arms
Thursday - Rest/ Dog walk
Friday - Pregnancy cardio workout with added bum workout (a few taken from strength regime)

I'll share my personal regime with you and I will link the pregnancy videos I follow below (I am in my second trimester - currently at 19 weeks, but I will continue with this regime until I feel heavily pregnant/ my body can't do it anymore. When that point comes I just plan to walk lots.)

Strength workout summary:

Squats: squat with shoulder press/ sumo squats/ pulse sumo squats I was squatting with 40kg on a smith machine but now 12kg - 14kg divided in to two weights and 8kg kettlebell for sumo squats. On average I do 15-20 reps x3 of each exercise.
Deadlift: I was using a 30kg bar but now I use 15kg - 15 reps x3
Mat workouts: Fire Hydrants/ kick backs no weights 15-20 reps each exercise x3
Cable side kicks: lowest weight or I use a black resistance band with a heel attachment at home - 10-15 reps x3
Arms: over head shoulder press/ bicep curls/ triceps kickbacks/ triceps extension all with 2.5kg weight - 12-15 reps x3

Pregnancy Cardio Workouts:





There are loads and loads of pregnancy workouts to follow on Youtube - but these particular 3 suited me as they are quick and snappy and challenge me without going over board!

If you have any questions or want to chat baby, feel free to get in touch - RobynJaneblog@gmail.com